In today’s digital age, the Aadhaar card has become our most crucial identity. It is essential for availing government schemes, opening bank accounts, and almost everywhere else. However, while it has made tasks easier, the risk of misuse and fraud involving the biometric information (like fingerprints, iris scans) present in it has also increased. Fraudsters can misuse your biometric information to cause you financial or identity-related harm.

How to Enhance Your Aadhaar Security?

In such times, it becomes very important to enhance the security of your Aadhaar data. The ‘Aadhaar Biometric Lock’ feature provided by UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) is a highly effective step in this direction. It gives you control over your biometric information.

What is Aadhaar Biometric Lock and How Does it Work?

This is a security feature launched by UIDAI that completely locks your fingerprint, iris scan, and face authentication data linked to your Aadhaar. When you activate this feature:

  • No kind of authentication using your biometric information (like placing a finger on a scanner) will be successful until you yourself unlock it.
  • This prevents any biometric misuse from happening without your permission.

It works similar to locking your mobile screen – until you unlock it, no one else can access it.

Why is This Important?

By activating the biometric lock, you can protect yourself from various types of fraud, such as:

  • Unauthorized withdrawal of money from a bank account (where biometric authentication is used).
  • Fraudulently getting a new SIM card issued in your name.
  • Misuse of your biometric information for identity verification at any other service or location.

It provides an additional layer of protection and ensures that you have complete control over activities linked to your Aadhaar.

Easy Methods to Lock Your Aadhaar Biometrics:

You can easily lock your Aadhaar biometrics online, through the mAadhaar app, or via SMS.

Method 1: Online via UIDAI Website (Requires Aadhaar Number & OTP):

  1. Go to the official UIDAI website at uidai.gov.in.
  2. Navigate to the ‘My Aadhaar’ tab and click on the ‘Lock/Unlock Biometrics’ option under ‘Aadhaar Services’.
  3. On the new page, select the ‘Lock Biometrics’ option to lock your biometrics.
  4. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and the provided security code (Captcha).
  5. Click ‘Send OTP’. A One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
  6. Enter the received OTP and click ‘Verify’.
  7. Upon successful verification, you will get the option to lock your biometrics. Confirm the lock.
  8. A message confirming that your biometrics have been successfully locked will appear on the screen, and you may also be notified via SMS.

Method 2: Via mAadhaar App (Requires mAadhaar app login):

  1. Download the mAadhaar app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store if you don’t have it already.
  2. Open the app and log in using your registered mobile number and OTP. You will need to add your Aadhaar profile within the app (this will require your Aadhaar number and OTP).
  3. Go to the My Aadhaar section and find the ‘Biometric Lock’ or ‘Lock/Unlock Biometrics’ icon.
  4. Click on this option. You may need to authenticate yourself again using your Aadhaar number and OTP for security purposes.
  5. After authentication, select the option to activate the Biometric Lock and confirm.
  6. Your biometrics will be locked via the app.

Method 3: Via SMS (Requires Registered Mobile Number):

If you do not have internet access, you can also lock your biometrics by sending an SMS to 1947 from your registered mobile number. This process is done in two steps:

  1. Send the first SMS from your registered mobile number to 1947: GETOTP <space> Last 4 or 8 digits of your Aadhaar (Example: GETOTP 1234 or GETOTP 12345678)
  2. You will receive a 6-digit OTP from 1947.
  3. Now send the second SMS from the same registered mobile number to 1947: LOCKUID <space> Last 4 or 8 digits of your Aadhaar <space> Received 6-digit OTP (Example: LOCKUID 1234 987654 or LOCKUID 12345678 987654)
  4. You will receive a confirmation SMS stating that your biometrics are locked.

Note: If multiple mobile numbers are linked to your Aadhaar, always use the number you currently possess and which is registered in the UIDAI database for biometric lock or unlock.

What is VID and Why Might it be Necessary?

You often need a Virtual ID (VID) to unlock Aadhaar biometrics. A VID is a 16-digit temporary number that you can generate from the UIDAI website or mAadhaar app. It can be used for authentication without sharing your Aadhaar number everywhere. After locking, when you need to perform biometric authentication somewhere (like at a bank or public service center), you will first need to temporarily unlock your biometrics using the VID. Biometrics typically get automatically re-locked after successful authentication or after some time (or you can manually lock them again).

Important Information and Fact Check:

The Aadhaar biometric lock feature and the methods to activate it (UIDAI website, mAadhaar app, SMS helpline 1947) are official and certified methods provided by UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India). The locking methods mentioned above (online, app, SMS) and their processes (using Aadhaar number/OTP, SMS formats) are generally correct and are directly based on UIDAI guidelines.

This feature only prevents your biometric authentication (fingerprint, iris, face); it has no effect on OTP-based or demographic (name, address, etc.) authentication. For biometric authentication after locking, you will need to temporarily unlock it, which often requires the VID. The process for generating VID and its usage is also correctly described.

This feature is an effective and reliable way to enhance your Aadhaar security.

Conclusion:

Keeping your Aadhaar biometric information locked is a very important step in today’s time. It prevents unauthorized use and keeps your data safe, helping you stay protected from fraud. Lock your Aadhaar biometrics today using any of the easy methods mentioned above and stay worry-free! When you need to perform biometric authentication, you can temporarily unlock it as needed.